Photo by: Boston University Athletics
Women’s Rowing Adds Kelly to Coaching Staff
August 7, 2026 | Women's Rowing
BOSTON – The Boston University women's rowing program has hired Kate Kelly as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season, director of women's rowing Malcolm Doldron announced Friday.
"Kate is someone who makes the people around her better," said Doldron. "She's thoughtful, competitive and brings a real curiosity about how to help athletes and teams improve. Not only does Kate understand the standard we're building towards at BU, but just as importantly, she understands that how we get there matters. She'll be a tremendous addition to our staff and our program."
Kelly comes to BU after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach for the Harvard Radcliffe Lightweight Rowing program. While there, she helped coach Radcliffe to two medals at the IRA National Championship Regatta and a Beanpot win earlier in the year. Prior to her time across the Charles, Kelly served as a graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Virginia.
As a student-athlete, Kelly rowed in the UVA Varsity 8+ at the NCAA Championships all four years. She helped the boat finish in the top 13 all four seasons, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in 2021. Kelly was a member of the Varsity 8+ that won two ACC titles and ACC Crew of the Year honors. Her junior year, she was named to the Pocock Racing Shells First-Team All-America.
Internationally, she won silver at the 2024 World Rowing U23 Championships and bronze at the 2022 World Rowing U23 Championships, representing the United States both times. Kelly was named USRowing's U23 Athlete of the Year in 2024.
"Kate is someone who makes the people around her better," said Doldron. "She's thoughtful, competitive and brings a real curiosity about how to help athletes and teams improve. Not only does Kate understand the standard we're building towards at BU, but just as importantly, she understands that how we get there matters. She'll be a tremendous addition to our staff and our program."
Kelly comes to BU after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach for the Harvard Radcliffe Lightweight Rowing program. While there, she helped coach Radcliffe to two medals at the IRA National Championship Regatta and a Beanpot win earlier in the year. Prior to her time across the Charles, Kelly served as a graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Virginia.
As a student-athlete, Kelly rowed in the UVA Varsity 8+ at the NCAA Championships all four years. She helped the boat finish in the top 13 all four seasons, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in 2021. Kelly was a member of the Varsity 8+ that won two ACC titles and ACC Crew of the Year honors. Her junior year, she was named to the Pocock Racing Shells First-Team All-America.
Internationally, she won silver at the 2024 World Rowing U23 Championships and bronze at the 2022 World Rowing U23 Championships, representing the United States both times. Kelly was named USRowing's U23 Athlete of the Year in 2024.
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